Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – According to statistics from the Lao Department of Tourism Development under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Laos received over 3.7 million foreign tourists in the first ten months of this year, a 13% increase compared to the same period last year. Thailand, Vietnam, and China were the three core source countries, providing significant support for the growth of Laos' tourism industry.
Core Source Countries Show Strong Performance
Statistical data shows that the main source countries performed exceptionally well in terms of visitor numbers:
Thailand received 1,236,626 tourists, ranking first among source countries;
Vietnam received 959,575 tourists, ranking second;
China received 914,194 tourists, ranking third;
South Korea received 151,010 tourists, France received 46,429 tourists, and Germany received 22,144 tourists, constituting important supplementary overseas tourist sources.
Multiple Favorable Factors Drive Tourism Growth
The steady growth of Laos' tourism industry is attributed to the synergistic effect of multiple factors.
Tourism facilities and services have continued to improve, enhancing the travel experience for tourists. The opening of the high-speed rail line has been a key driving force, passing through three popular tourist provinces—Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, and Oudomxay—connecting numerous high-quality attractions and becoming a preferred mode of transportation for tourists. International exposure has been steadily increasing, with Laos frequently appearing in foreign newspapers and magazines, making its rich tourism resources and affordable travel costs known to more international tourists.
International Certifications and Awards
This year, Luang Prabang City received the "Green Destination 2025-2027" Silver Certification, becoming not only the first city in Laos to receive this honor but also the first city from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam to be listed, setting a new record for international recognition.
Previously, Luang Prabang City had already won the "Green Destination 2024" Top 100 Story Award for its outstanding achievements in responsible tourism promotion and the protection of its unique charm. As the only city in Laos to be selected for this award, Laos successfully entered the "Green Destinations 2024" Top 100 Sustainable Development Stories list with "Conservation of World Heritage Architectural Styles" as its core theme. Laos also became one of the 32 countries worldwide to be selected for this award.
**International Recognition of Unique Attractions** Laos' unique tourism resources have also gained favor with authoritative international media. The river tour of Nam Xay-Phu Loi National Park in Huaphan Province was listed as one of the "World's Top Ten Best Nighttime Wildlife Park Tours" by Condé Nast Traveler in 2023, becoming another international calling card for Lao tourism.
